Original Being
A case for ordinary
During Teisho (teaching) at Zazenkai (meeting at a Zendo) last night, the teacher said a few words to commemorate a past member. She reflected on how he was absolutely ‘ordinary’ after a lifelong practice — without a whiff of Zen or awakening — which we were told is how it should be.
It made me reflect upon how beautifully simple life can be. It’s easy to get lured into overcomplicating things (talking from experience). Endless optimisation and analysis. Attaching luxury or extravagance with joy. Seeking achievements and possessions as a path to fulfilment.
There can certainly be a place for luxury, achievements and possessions, but perhaps we’re missing a trick by overlooking the simple things in life.
Enjoying a ripe orange in the sun.
Picking a flower for a loved one.
Stopping to admire a tree.
There can be freedom from being in touch with our innate sense of peace and finding joy in the simple things around us.
We can remove the pressure and burden of seeking and achieving.
We can live from a place of abundance rather than scarcity.
We can still show up and take part in our modern, fast-past world. But free of the illusion of partaking to fill a void.
Rather, seeing every moment as an opportunity for play, gratitude and expression.
harry